Sonia Sanchez may stand only five feet tall, but she can affect change in the world through words and the love of her people, the noted author said.

Yesterday afternoon, the famed black poet and activist gave the keynote speech of the Black Arts Festival titled "Honoring the Elders, Empowering the Youth" in the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.

The author of 13 books, including Love Poems and Under A Soprano Sky, Sanchez has spoken at more than 500 universities and is a presidential fellow and English professor at Temple University.

She spoke about the influential people of the past and the need to understand their contributions and the relation they have to our own state of being.

She relayed the importance of two women in her life -- both grandmothers but from different geographical areas -- and contrasted them as a Southern black woman and an urban black woman. They taught her about "strength and sharpness" and a "kind of quickness of love" that is with her today, she said.

Sanchez spoke of growing up and changing to a political person, believing that people know everything until someone else enters their lives and makes them realize they still have much to learn.

She read a poem titled "Just Don't Never Give Up on Love" based on a visit she made to a park with her children for the purpose of writing a book review, when she instead spoke with a 94-year-old woman. The woman challenged Sanchez's view of herself as a woman "together and in charge" through the stories of her own life, teaching her to "take a breath" and to "touch people" in her life. She learned that people only can come together by understanding their similarities and playing down their differences.

To young, aspiring poets she advises that they read "all the poetry in the world," explaining that reading is essential to committed writers. Reading aloud can also tune the ear to recognize good poetry. Thirdly, a poet must write, get into a weekly habit, and not wait for a "muse to drop on their shoulders."

Sanchez said women must continue to talk about women's issues in order to learn to use their power and love themselves in a society that demeans women. "We must speak to the young so they truly understand the need to be empowered and not be victims," she said.